Football umpires are in the line of fire

Football umpires are in the line of fire

Put on your workout clothes and sensible shoes. Grab a whistle and a yellow flag. Now, try straddling lanes on the Golden State Freeway while looking for expired registration tags on cars as they race past.
Welcome to the life of a football umpire.
Of the seven officiating positions, none is more in the line of fire than the umpire, who stands unprotected in the middle of the defense, just behind the linebackers.
While collisions aren’t a regular occurrence, just about every umpire — from high schools to the NFL and every level between — has a story about being upended by a hulking player.
Because those collisions can be brutal — some have ended officiating careers — the NFL is considering equipping its umpires with pads and some type of head protection.

latimes.com
11/2/08